The wonderful waterfalls of the Andaka River and the fabulously beautiful gorge near the Dryanovo Monastery "St. Archangel Michael"
- Stefan Ivanov
- May 29
- 8 min read
Updated: Jun 2
Daring adventurers, through my previous post "The beautiful Sini Vir waterfall on the Dryanovska River and the picturesque canyon near the Dryanovska Monastery "St. Archangel Michael" I told you more about the Dryanovska River and its spectacular gorge, which was formed in the area of the monastery.
It's time for me to tell you about the Andaka – a small river in the Pre-Balkans, a left tributary of the Dryanovska River.
The Andaka flows into the Dryanovska River just below the walls of the Dryanovska Monastery "St. Archangel Michael".
The Andaka River is named after the cave of the same name from which it springs. The name comes from the Turkish language – andak or endek, meaning hole in the ground.
Andaka Cave, from which the Andaka River springs, is mainly a water cave. It is also known as the Big Cave, Pop Haritonova Cave, and the Water Cave. It is definitely an interesting sight with the building built at the entrance to the gallery, which seems to be built into the rock massif. The flow of water passing through the cave is large, which is why a water treatment plant has been built in one of the galleries, which functioned until 1979 for the water supply of the town of Dryanovo.
The cave is protected due to the populations of rare bat species in it, some of which are listed in the Red Book. In terms of its size, it ranks sixth in Bulgaria.
The gorge that the Andaka River forms in the area of the Strazhata limestone plateau from the Andaka Cave to the place where its waters flow into the Dryanovska River, although small in size, is fabulously beautiful.
As I walk along the wide and paved path leading towards the natural landmark Bacho Kiro Cave (also known as the Small Cave and the Bear's Hole), from where the picturesque Dryanovo Eco-Trail starts, the magnetic presence of the Boruna rock crown, towering impressively above the Andaka Gorge, somehow strongly affects me and makes my walk emotional, memorable and deeply striking!
Geological activity is also the reason why the river is dotted with numerous beautiful waterfalls.
The Andaka River Canyon is part of the Dryanovo Eco-Trail.
Unfortunately, exploring the entire eco-trail, and specifically the part of the Andaka River gorge, is currently not possible due to the poor condition of the still existing wooden bridges and steps, which would make this activity even dangerous.
Currently, the safest and easiest way to enjoy the fabulously beautiful Andaka Gorge is to take the path leading from the Dryanovo Monastery "St. Archangel Michael", winding along the waters of the river in the direction of Bacho Kiro Cave.
In addition to the beauty of the fabulously beautiful Andaka Gorge, walking along the path along the waters of the river, you can also enjoy several wonderful waterfalls, which, especially in spring, are extremely impressive, noisy and lush.
A bridge called "Lovers' Bridge" rises a few meters from the confluence of the Andaka River and the Dryanovska River.
Dozens of locked padlocks hang on the bridge's railings, inscribed with the names of the lovers who hung them here.
How to get to Dryanovo Monastery "St. Archangel Michael"?
Dryanovo Monastery "St. Archangel Michael" is located in Northern Bulgaria, about 5 kilometers southwest of the town of Dryanovo and about 15 kilometers northeast of the town of Gabrovo.
A good asphalt road leads to it.
It is served by the "Bacho Kiro" railway station, which until October 20, 1949 was named "Saint Archangel", on the "Ruse-Momchilgrad" railway line. The railway station is located about a kilometer from the monastery.
You can leave your car by the road leading to the monastery, where no parking fee is required.
Near the Dryanovo Monastery "St. Archangel Michael", as well as directly in the parking lot in front of the entrance to the monastery, parking is paid.
After leaving your car in a convenient place for you, head to the path leading to the right and along the waters of the Andaka River.
What can you visit nearby?
Dryanovo (spelling until 1945: Drѣnovo) is a town located at the foot of the Stara Planina Mountains, in Central Northern Bulgaria.
It is located in the Gabrovo region, at the crossroads between Northern and Southern Bulgaria, near the cities of Veliko Tarnovo, Tryavna, Gabrovo and Sevlievo.
The town is the administrative center of the Dryanovo municipality.
Dryanovo is located among the beautiful and rounded hills of the Central Fore-Balkans.
On the territory of the municipality is the continuation of the Mikren Heights – the rocky limestone plateau of Strazhata, cut through by the bizarre gorges of the Yantra River and the Dryanovska River.
The altitude varies from 180 to 640 meters above sea level. The highest point in the region is Balabana – over 620 meters above sea level.
The city is located on the highway Ruse - Veliko Tarnovo - Gabrovo - Shipka - Stara Zagora. The station is on the main railway artery connecting Northern and Southern Bulgaria - Ruse - Gorna Oryahovitsa - Dabovo - Podkova.
In the Dryanovo region, the oldest traces of life on the Balkan Peninsula were discovered - in the Bacho Kiro cave near the Dryanovo Monastery "St. Archangel Michael".
Numerous remains of ancient settlements, fortresses, columns with inscriptions and decorations from the time of the Thracians and Romans have also been found.
During the Ottoman rule, Dryanovo managed to preserve the Bulgarian spirit, with Dryanovo's spiritual centers being among the great guardians of the Christian faith and Bulgarian writing, traditions, and culture.
In 1778, a clock tower was built in the center of Dryanovo, which was destroyed twice.
Dryanovsk masters and builders were extremely prominent and worked in various parts of the empire, and even beyond its borders. This gives grounds to speak of a Dryanovsk building school.
Undoubtedly, even today the most famous Dryanovec and prominent representative of the school is Nikola Fichev, better known as Usta Kolyu Ficheto.
The historical museum in the city presents in an extremely interesting and impressive way the work of the most famous Dryanovo resident and Bulgarian Renaissance builder.
Dryanovo is located:
212 kilometers (about 2 hours and 48 minutes by car) from the capital
156 kilometers (about 2 hours and 46 minutes by car) from the city of Plovdiv
244 kilometers (about 2 hours and 57 minutes by car) from the city of Varna
227 kilometers (about 2 hours and 40 minutes by car) from the city of Burgas
Only 21 kilometers south of the city of Dryanovo (about 25 minutes by car) is the city of Gabrovo. In Gabrovo, you must visit the Architectural and Ethnographic Complex and Open-Air Museum "Etar"
Just 16 kilometers from the city of Gabrovo (about 26 minutes by car) you will find the charming jewel of Bozhentsi, which you should definitely visit.
Just 22 kilometers east of Gabrovo (about 34 minutes by car) is beautiful Tryavna, which I definitely recommend you visit.
About 23 kilometers south of the city of Gabrovo (about 34 minutes by car) is the Freedom Monument, known as the Shipka Monument.
About 48 kilometers south of the city of Gabrovo (about 58 minutes by car) is the city of Kazanlak.
In Kazanlak you can visit the Rose Museum.
After you have viewed the rich exhibition of the museum, I suggest you take a relaxing walk through the wonderful alleys of the Rosarium Park in the town of Kazanlak.
In the town of Kazanlak, I suggest you also visit the church of St. Elijah, also known as the Kulen Church.
Just 5 kilometers south of the town of Kazanlak (about 8 minutes by car) is the village of Buzovgrad, where the wonderful adventure of the "Path through the Ages" eco-trail begins.
You shouldn't miss it for anything in the world!
48 kilometers east of Kazanlak (about 40 minutes by car) you will find the Zhrebchevo Dam. The ruins of the submerged church of St. Ivan Rilski still stand near the dam.
23 kilometers west of Kazanlak (about 25 minutes by car) you will find the town of Pavel Banya.
3 kilometers east of Pavel Banya (about 5 minutes by car) you will find the village of Viden. Near the village still stand the ruins of the wonderful church of St. Anastasius.
4 kilometers south of Pavel Banya (about 7 minutes by car) is the village of Turia.
Here you can visit the birthplace of Chudomir.
On the square in front of Chudomir's house you can see a monument to the Chetnik Tsanko Minkov Dechev - Komitata, who was born in Turia Botev.
In Turia you can enjoy an authentic Roman bridge called "Skoca".
8 kilometers from Turia (about 9 minutes by car) you can enjoy the natural landmark "Kichest Gabbar".
Very close to "Kichest Gabar" you can explore Kutela.
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